SWIMMING star Ian Thorpe thanked supporters today after he revealed that he is gay in a television interview.

The Australian swimmer came out while in conversation with Sir Michael Parkinson, when he said that he did not want young people to go through the same difficulties he had.

The five-time Olympic gold medallist today tweeted: "To everyone who has sent a message of support I sincerely thank you!"

Many high-profile figures have taken to Twitter to congratulate Thorpe and offer him their support.

Football pundit Gary Lineker described his decision as "brave".

The former England striker said: "Well done @IanThorpe on your 'coming out'. Look, mate, it was a brave and right decision. Good luck to you."

Former Wales star Gareth Thomas, who became the first openly gay professional rugby union player when he came out in 2009, also said on Twitter: "Never question it. Support it. A happy man today."

Thorpe told Parkinson that he didn't want young people to go through the same things he did [EPA]

To everyone who has sent a message of support I sincerely thank you!

Ian Thorpe

Fellow Australian gold medallist Grant Hackett tweeted: "Ian and I grew up together – At the end of the day ... who really cares? It's 2014, I don't think anybody's really too concerned about his sexual orientation."

Despite wide speculation about his sexuality, Thorpe always insisted in the past that he was straight.

But in the interview with Sir Michael on Australia's Channel 10 he admitted that the "lie had become so big that I didn't want people to question my integrity".

He said: "I've thought about this for a long time. I'm not straight.

"And this is only something that very recently - in the past two weeks - I've been comfortable telling the closest people around me exactly that.

"I don't want young people to feel the same way I did. I've wanted to for some time. I couldn't, I didn't feel as though I could.

The Australian swimmer won five gold Olympic medals [AP]

"The problem was I was asked at such a young age about my sexuality. I went to an all-boys school, so if you're accused of being gay then the first answer is 'no' and you get ready for a fight.

"Yes, I lied about it. I'm comfortable saying I'm a gay man. My parents told me that they love me and that they support me.

"Part of me didn't know if Australia wanted its champion to be gay. But I'm telling the world that I am."

In his 2011 autobiography, This Is Me, the 31-year-old wrote of a battle with depression and his reliance on alcohol and he revealed in his interview with Sir Michael that only the love of his family had stopped him from taking his own life.

He was admitted to rehab in February for depression treatment after he was found lost and confused in the Sydney street where his parents live.

Residents called police after he tried to get into a car which he mistakenly thought belonged to a friend.

He was also hospitalised in April with an infection in his shoulder, prompting fears that he could even end up losing his arm.